Meet Little-Known Actor Jack Barton, the “Favorite” to Play James Bond

Gather round, because we have an update regarding one of pop culture’s biggest current mysteries: WHO IS PLAYING JAMES BOND? While there are a lot of names on the shortlist, Page Six reports that a relatively little-known actor is topping the list:Jack Barton, also known as this stylish gentleman!Dave Benett//Getty ImagesSo, who is he, what’s he been in, why does he look vaguely familiar, and how’d he end up (allegedly) beating out everyone else on the Bond shortlist?You Might Recognize Him From HeartstopperJack played David Nelson (Nick’s older brother) for five episodes of the Netflix series. He was also Fop 1 in Poor Things, and appeared in an episode of British TV series Grantchester (which stars fellow James Bond contender James Norton).He Went to Oxford School of Drama and Loves HorrorThe Crown’s very own Claire Foy also went there!Aside from acting, Jack also writes. As he put it to Country and Townhouse a few years back, “I’ve been writing a lot, which I’m loving, alongside other projects that fill up my creative cup.”In the same interview, he said his dream role was Macbeth, and that he’d love to star in a horror film. But playing Bond probably sounds pretty good as well, right?He Is Repped by Daniel Craig’s PublicistsSeems like pertinent info, if you’re the type to read into things, which I am.He Actually Perfectly Fits the Bond BriefMainly because they want a newcomer.“It is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma,” longtime Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams told The Independent a few months ago. “I don’t want to see any of [the rumored stars] as Bond because we now know so much about them. We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are. We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives. We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.”So, when will we find out if Jack has booked Bond? Producer Amy Pascal recently revealed that the role will be announced sometime in the next five months. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” she told Deadline. “We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow.”Stay tuned!